PROS

CONS

Servicing and maintenance could be costly

Verdict

Following on from the latest version of the BMW 3 Series Saloon comes the new 2012 BMW 3 Series Touring. The estate offers a more practical car while still retaining the saloon's strong handling and performance credentials.What's more, the Touring version of the 3 Series is offered with a range of petrol and diesel engines.

Increased boot space

The boot space has been extended to a more-than-useful 495 litres with the rear seats in place - 35 litres more than the previous generation’s 460 litres - while the extended wheelbase means there will be more legroom for those in the rear.

The added space means the BMW will have a bigger boot than competitors like the current generation of Mercedes-Benz C-Class Estate, which offers 485 litres of storage space, and the Audi A4 Avant that can hold 490 litres. Drop the rear seats in the 3 Series Touring and the space in the rear increases to a potential 1,500 litres.

This all made easier by the practical 40:20:40 split of the rear seats, which means you can drop the seats in a selection of ways in order to make room for longer objects while still carrying passengers.

Broad engine choice

While the main focus is on practicality, the range of available engines in the BMW 3 Series Estate will continue to offer a good balance of low running costs and performance.

At launch it will be available with a choice of three engines: two diesels and one petrol. The sole petrol engine is the 328i that produces 242bhp and will potentially complete 0-62mph in six seconds. The entry-level 181bhp 320d will be the pick of the bunch for running costs.

The manual version emits 124g/km, 122g/km for the eight-speed automatic model, which makes it exempt from first-year tax and will grant it an annual bill tax of £100. This model is also capable of a claimed fuel economy of 60.1mpg, or 61.4mpg for the automatic version.

The more powerful 330d, which makes 254bhp, will go from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds while emitting just 135g/km of CO2 and averaging a claimed 55.4mpg. It will come with the usual EfficientDynamics additions such as stop/start, brake energy regeneration and ECO PRO driving mode.

Prices will start at £29,830 for the 320d SE, rising to £37,200 for the 330d Luxury model. Read on for the full BMW 3 Series Touring review.